Chapter 203

Shuishui and Mu Zilin were happy with their friendship. Perhaps they had liked each other in the beginning, but as they grew older, they had gotten to know each other more. They had a deep understanding of each other, and for some reason, they felt that they were not compatible for each other. As friends, they simply fooled around and hung out with each other.

Jiang Li obviously did not quite believe Mu Zilin's words. If they were not in a relationship, why would he treat Sister Qian so well? Was there such a pure friendship? He did not believe it. He felt that Zilin had simply said it to cover up the fact that they were together. There were many people who did that, but there were also others who would use the same excuse to get close to that person.

Shuishui shrugged. "Actually, this depends on the person. Zilin and I have a very good relationship. If we were to fall in love, he would definitely not be the first choice, but it would be a good choice. We understand each other very well, and we agree on a lot of things because we are familiar with each other."

Seeing that the others did not quite understand, she did not say anything much. Mu Zilin understood and laughed. "Thank you for the compliment. Anyway, we'll see in the future. If we meet a girl that we both don't like, you can pretend to be my girlfriend and help me chase her away."

"Sure. No problem. It's not a big deal," Shuishui answered happily. It was a piece of cake. She could help Zilin with that at any time. She believed that one shouldn't look for a girlfriend in random places. They would end up getting hurt. It was easy to get hurt in love. Many people couldn't get over it. Of course, such things depended on the person. Some people would find it hard to move on, and some people would simply stop caring.

Although Mu Zilin had a carefree personality, she constantly worried that he would one day fall in love and hurt himself.

She felt that she was thinking like an old mother. She was thinking too much, so she brushed her thoughts aside. After all, such worries were hard to express.

After a while, the other members of the Jiang household arrived. Shuishui turned off her computer. Jiang Yuan introduced Shuishui to them. "This is your Auntie Jiang. She is the helper of the family, and she has been with us for a very long time. She cooks very well, and you will soon get to try her dishes. Boys, I introduced Shuishui to you already. Let's go out for dinner tonight."

Mu Zilin looked at his computer. It was so boring to be alone. Why did they all leave? He assumed that they had gone out for dinner.

He turned off his computer and went to find his older brother for dinner.

Auntie Jiang was very friendly towards Shuishui. "Shuishui, what do you want to eat? Let's order your favorite food. You rarely come to Beijing, so we will take you to the best restaurants."

She reached out and held Shuishui's hand. "You're prettier in person than in the photo. It's good that you're young. Your skin is smooth and tender."

"Auntie, your skin is also very good. You look like you're only in your thirties. You clearly take good care of yourself. Auntie, what photo did my dad give you? Can I take a look at it?" Shuishui was a little curious.

"En, this one. How cute." Auntie Jiang showed Shuishui the Qian family photo, which Qian An had sent them.

Shuishui looked at the photo, and she was moved. "This? Dad is so cute. This photo is so blurry. That's probably why it was hard for Uncle Jiang to recognize me."

Uncle Jiang held his stomach and laughed. He found Shuishui adorable. "It was indeed a little difficult, but it's okay. I still found you. You still look quite the same." He paused for a moment before he continued. "Shushui doesn't know what's special about that restaurant. Let's bring Shuishui there tonight."

That night, they found a restaurant and went to eat.

Jiang Li treated Shuishui well. He felt that he would actually get along with Mu Zilin. Mu Zilin would be visiting Beijing in a few days and would be in the capital more often. Perhaps they could hang out more in the future.

While they were eating, Jiang Yuan turned to Jiang Li and asked, "Xiao Li, what time does the university's open days start? Do you know what the requirements are?"

"It's tomorrow. I think I misread the time. But we're going to go anyway. Sister Qian, if you want to go, you can come with us. It's okay. Our teacher said that we can bring a few people with us," Jiang Li said to Qian Shuishui with a smile.

Shuishui nodded and said, "I really want to go."

Uncle Jiang laughed. "Are you excited? Have fun tomorrow. I'll pick you up at noon. Don't turn off your phone." He wanted to pick up the two children himself.

"Okay. Dad, come pick us up before you eat. There will be a lot of delicious foods outside because of the event. Let's all eat before we leave. Don't take us out for a second meal. I'm afraid my stomach will burst." Jiang Li was more interested in eating. He was more excited about the food that will be served, and he was not interested at all in the university.

"That's good. Your Sister Qian loves eating." Jiang Yuan nodded. He felt that Shuishui would have fun.

Jiang Li didn't understand why Qian Shuishui was so excited about the university open day. "Sister Qian, you're only in first year of high school. The event is very boring. We may be asked to attend a few classes. If we go, we won't even understand their lessons. We'd have to stay in there for two hours. Why bother?"

She didn't understand this world at all. "That depends on the person. I'm quite curious about how they conduct their classes. If I'm given the chance to sit in class, I'll definitely grab the opportunity."

Jiang Li didn't say anything. He had his own interests and hobbies, so he felt that he didn't have the right to force Qian Shuishui to want to play around as much as he did.

"Actually, I used to give my dad a headache. I also liked going out with my friends all night. I also liked going to KTV bars. I'm not interested in those anymore. Maybe I've had enough of them. I want my dad to be happy, so I will work hard to get into a good university." Of course, Shuishui also wanted it for herself. She liked to study and wanted to further her studies. In the future, she felt that her father would understand.

"Really? You also went to KTV bars?" Jiang Li asked curiously.

"Well, I was troublesome at that time. My dad was so angry that he ignored me. But we later reconciled, and I promised him that I would do my best to achieve what he wanted." She paused for a moment, looked at Jiang Li again, and said, "You don't have to look at me like that. I think we're all the same. I want to meet my father's expectations of me." She felt very sorry for her father. She was also very grateful to him for his hard work and for bringing them a beautiful future.

She also wanted to see her father smile. She simply wanted him to be happy and contented.

Everyone listened to Shuishui. Although they thought that her speech was a little pretentious, everyone was somehow moved because she sounded determined to change and remorseful of her past actions.

Jiang Yuan looked at Shuishui. "Such a good child. Qian An will definitely be very happy."

"I hope so. Let's continue eating." She didn't say much and focused on eating.

As Shuishui ate, Jiang Li asked, "Sister Qian, how are your grades?"

This was rather awkward. Jiang Yuan glared at his eldest son. He felt that his son was being careless. It was awkward how he directly asked Shuishui about her grades.

Jiang Li suddenly realized that he had said something wrong. Why did he directly ask Sister Qian about her grades? He did not want to come off as inconsiderate. "What I mean is . . . being in a key school, are you under a lot of pressure?"

Shuishui shrugged indifferently and said, "Top three."

Jiang Li was stunned by her answer. "So you're in the top three? Impressive."

"It's okay. I'm not under a lot of pressure at the moment." Because there was a gap between the second placer and her, she wasn't really under any pressure. Besides, the second placer was a second year student. However, she couldn't rule out those who had good talent and advanced quickly.

Jiang Yuan was full of smiles. Qian An had told him that Shuishui performed well in school, but he had forgotten about it.

Auntie Jiang looked at Shuishui. She was beaming with excitement. "You're not being pressured to work harder, but you still have to do your best to remain at the top of the list. If you are able to do that, it will be easy for you to get into a key school."

Shuishui nodded. "In any case, I have to work hard, study hard, and live well."

"Sister Qian, is the competition for the top three spots very intense?" Jiang Li continued to ask.

Shuishui frowned and thought for a few seconds. "I'm not sure. It is what it is, I guess. I was able to maintain my rank. The second and third placers are different people every time, but I don't really care."

With that, everyone had understood that she had always been the top student. She ignored whoever worked hard to get the second and third ranks. That meant that in spite of their hard work, other people would still be unable to beat Shuishui's high grades. She spoke very calmly. She didn't brag about herself either.

After a while, Auntie Jiang also reacted. "Shuishui, that's difficult to achieve."

"What?" Jiang Li was in a bit of a shock.

Jiang Yuan explained, "Your Sister Qian has always been the top student, and no other student has surpassed her."

"That can't be possible, right?" Jiang Li didn't quite believe it because he also studied in a key junior high school. Competition among students was very intense, and the first placer would always be a different person from the last. He thought it was just impossible to persist and maintain the top rank. There were just too many good students who competed for the top spot. The top spot was everyone's target.

Shuishui scratched her chin. "I scored points in the science division, and it will be more difficult for them to surpass me in that division."

In the arts division, there wasn't much of a difference between her grades and those of the others below her. It wouldn't be too difficult for the others to surpass her grade.

"Impressive." Jiang Li was really impressed by Qian Shuishui, and he knew that Qian Shuishui couldn't lie about such things.

"There's nothing impressive about it. It's all the result of hard work. It's okay." They all realized that Shuishui was just a little different. She was reborn, and she had cheated, but she wouldn't be complacent or happy because she was different from the others. She had higher expectations of herself. She was not satisfied with being the top ranking student.

She had to work harder. Only then could she be worthy of her rebirth. She had to love and protect her family. She had to love her friends.